Reborn as Ning Rongrong, So What?

"Uncle Ci Xue, Uncle She Long, what are your thoughts about Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School?"

The two Title Douluo stood behind Xue Qinghe like guards, remaining silent as he pondered. When Xue Qinghe finally spoke, She Long hesitated before answering:

"The two Title Douluo from Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School are comparable to the Second Elder at 98th-rank. To be honest, I don't believe the Young Master can subdue them."

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School now had three Title Douluo, each stronger than the last.

Such power made submission nearly impossible.

Xue Qinghe didn't refute this. After a long silence, he sighed. "I want to try. Ning Fengzhi is Xue Qinghe's teacher. If successful, I wouldn't mind accepting him as my teacher too."

"Young Master, you seem to value Ning Fengzhi highly," Ci Xue remarked curiously.

"No. I sense something akin to paternal affection from him... Hah, perhaps I'm overthinking."

Qian Renxue shook her head. "Regardless, let's consider this repaying Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's kindness. After all, they did save you, Uncle Ci Xue."

"Young Master, I "

"No need for explanations. The immortal herb Ning Fengzhi gave me is also quite useful. I plan to..."

Xue Qinghe revealed her intention to use the herb to test Bibi Dong's intentions. Hearing this, Ci Xue and She Long exchanged uneasy glances.

"Personally, I advise against this," She Long said worriedly. "Bibi Dong is already a 98th-rank Title Douluo. If this herb helps her reach 99th-rank like you suggested, I fear the High Priest..."

He trailed off, but Xue Qinghe and Ci Xue understood his meaning.

"Uncle She Long, I know what you mean." Xue Qinghe sighed. "But without confirmation, that woman remains an unstable variable. If this herb can resolve her obsession with Yu Xiaogang, I believe it's worth it."

The herb might boost a Soul Ancestor or lower by about ten levels.

But Xue Qinghe (Qian Renxue) was already a Soul Sage. While it could grant a few levels, confirming Bibi Dong's stance mattered more.

"Young Master..." Ci Xue's hesitant tone drew Xue Qinghe's attention.

"Uncle Ci Xue, do you have something to say?"

"Indeed. We should fully support the Young Master's decisions. But Bibi Dong..."

"Perhaps you should consult the High Priest first. Only he can suppress Bibi Dong now."

Bibi Dong's current strength might surpass even Golden Crocodile. Only Qian Daoliu could defeat or kill her.

"Ask Grandfather?" Xue Qinghe frowned slightly. "Fine. I'll include Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's situation and my plans in the report. Let's see his perspective."

Seeing her acquiesce, She Long and Ci Xue relaxed.

Frankly, they feared Qian Renxue might act rashly.

Pushing Bibi Dong to 99th-rank could spell disaster for Spirit Hall.

"I'm preparing to conclude matters in Heaven Dou Empire," Xue Qinghe declared abruptly.

"Are you certain now?" Ci Xue looked concerned. "The Heaven Dou Emperor could die anytime, but with the current uncertain climate and Tang Chen's return..."

"Isn't this too hasty?"

"We've delayed long enough. I've already located Clear Sky School's hideout within Star Luo Empire's borders. They can't interfere."

Xue Qinghe rose, tapping the table before gazing firmly out the window.

"It's decided. Once I confirm that woman's stance, we'll begin here to avoid complications."

"Understood."

She Long and Ci Xue exchanged nods.

With their Young Master's decision made, their duty was execution. Both agreed they'd wasted enough time in Heaven Dou Empire.

Days passed.

The Heaven Dou Emperor received multiple critical condition notices.

All this information reached Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School through Xue Qinghe.

Reading the familiar handwriting, Ning Fengzhi sighed inwardly.

It seems Qian Renxue is making her move.

He reviewed recent letters all detailing the emperor's worsening condition.

"Xue Ye... how pitiful."

Ning Fengzhi and Xue Ye weren't friends, merely political allies.

Yet after years of collaboration, with Xue Ye persistently trying to bind Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to Heaven Dou's fate...

Well, he'd succeeded.

Except the crown prince wasn't the crown prince, and Heaven Dou Empire had been thoroughly infiltrated.

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School also had spies throughout the empire. With deliberate investigation, they'd uncovered much of Qian Renxue's activities.

During the emperor's coma, Qian Renxue had replaced nearly all high-ranking officials loyal to Xue Ye with her own faction.

While few were outright Spirit Hall plants, Xue Ye's staunch supporters had been sidelined something the nobility surely noticed.

But with the emperor dying, the crown prince's ascension was inevitable. Resisting was futile.

New rulers bring new courts. The prince cultivating his faction was expected, so none objected. As for Xue Beng...

Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing were practically isolated.

Their loyalists purged, and with the emperor comatose, who would board their sinking ship? Xue Beng's past behavior only invited disdain.

"Rongrong, what do you think of Xue Qinghe's message?" Ning Fengzhi set the letter aside.

"She's likely preparing to act. Her recent movements seem unusually bold."

The letter described the emperor's critical state, requesting Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's assistance.

"I share that impression." Ning Fengzhi nodded. "He wishes me to visit the capital to see the emperor one last time."

"'Last time' is just pretext for stabilizing the transition," Ning Rongrong observed.

"Mm."

Ning Fengzhi didn't deny it.

"Father, what's your stance? Knowing you, you'll probably go. After all, you're Xue Qinghe's teacher and publicly on good terms with the emperor."

"Not going..." Ning Rongrong paused, realizing it hardly mattered. Qian Renxue could manage the transition regardless.

Would Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School care about gossip?

Smiling, she added, "Actually, going or not changes little for you."

"No, I must attend." Ning Fengzhi said. "Xue Qinghe hasn't just invited me Clear Sky School and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan are also approached."

"Now? Before the emperor's passing?" Ning Rongrong looked puzzled. "Aren't they risking complications? Clear Sky School is technically under Star Luo now."

After going into seclusion, Clear Sky School had relocated to Star Luo territory no longer Heaven Dou's concern. Any incidents could spiral beyond Qian Renxue's control if she wished to maintain her disguise.

"Perhaps learning about Clear Sky School's planned return influenced this."

"Moreover, this provides Clear Sky School a re-emergence opportunity."

"The coronation... I see." Ning Rongrong's eyes gleamed with understanding. "Qian Renxue plans to combine the emperor's funeral with her own enthronement!"

"She didn't state it, but I suspect the same. Still, I sense impending trouble."

"I'll have Elder Sword accompany me." Ning Fengzhi turned to Ning Rongrong. "If you wish to come, consult Elder Dugu. He might join us."

Dugu Bo shared some rapport with the emperor superficial, perhaps, but this would be their final meeting. Xue Ye's era was ending.